Consultation on Updates to the Licensing and Fee Framework for Earth Stations and Space Stations in Canada
Consultation on Updates to the Licensing and Fee Framework for Earth Stations and Space Stations in Canada
Closed
2021-07-30
2021-11-02

25. The paragraphs below provide details about the proposed licensing framework.

6.1 Introduction of spectrum licensing for earth stations

26. Fixed earth stations operate only at a fixed, stationary location. Transportable earth stations, on the other hand, can be moved from one location to another, but only operate while at a fixed location. These two types of earth stations are typically authorized individually through radio licences, with the same licensing requirements, regardless of the type of station, frequency band of operation or technical characteristics. A licensee is required to hold an apparatus-based radio licence for each individual antenna or earth station at each site, as defined in the Radiocommunication Regulations. Radio licences have also been used on an interim basis to authorize ESIMs.

27. This approach, requiring each antenna or earth station at each site to have a separate licence, was appropriate in the early days of commercial satellite communications. However, as satellite technologies and services have evolved, this licensing approach has become unnecessarily cumbersome and costly. For example, individually licensing thousands of home Internet earth stations is neither practical nor necessary from a technical perspective.

28. In 2015, following internal analysis and the recognition that there had not been any interference cases with these types of terminals, ISED adopted an interim approach to authorization in certain frequency bands, as identified in CPC-2-6-01. Authorizations are issued under section 5(1)(a)(v), which allows the Minister to issue “any other authorization relating to radiocommunication that the Minister considers appropriate,” and authorize systems of identical earth stations that share the same technical parameters and frequency bands and that communicate with the same satellites. These authorizations are similar in nature to spectrum licences, but are granted on an interim basis only, pending updates to the regulatory framework. While there are no fees currently applicable for these interim authorizations, the proposals in this consultation are intended to establish both the licensing requirements and applicable fees for these types of earth stations.

29. Another challenge to the existing radio licence framework is the deployment of NGSO systems, in particular those in low Earth orbit. These systems require multiple gateway earth station locations, both to accommodate capacity and to be able to communicate with satellites that are distributed around the globe. Each individual earth station site for these systems is also comprised of multiple antennas. Applying apparatus-based radio licences is technically unnecessary and results in significant fee distortion when compared with gateway earth stations supporting GSO satellites.

30. In general ISED has been moving away from apparatus-based radio licensing for satellite services since the 1990s, when spectrum licences were first introduced. Spectrum licences were first applied to earth and space stations operating as part of MSS systems, and were adopted in 2016 for FSS and BSS space stations.

31. ISED is proposing to replace radio licences with spectrum licences for all earth stations (fixed, transportable and ESIMs). Multiple earth stations would be authorized under a single spectrum licence, replacing individual station licensing. As with existing earth station radio licences, these spectrum licences would be issued as annual licences and subject to the annual renewal cycle.

32. Given the large geographic coverage of the majority of satellites, with many covering large parts of North America, ISED is proposing that the spectrum licences for all satellite earth stations be issued for the Tier 1 service area. The licences would also authorize the radio service and frequency bands, and identify the satellites (and associated International Telecommunication Union (ITU) filings) with which the earth stations are permitted to communicate.

33. The same general conditions of licence that apply to current authorizations would be applied to the new spectrum licences, as would any frequency- or location-specific conditions based on spectrum policies for the relevant band. General conditions of licence are listed in annex A.

34. As set out below, ISED is proposing that two broad categories of spectrum licence be used to authorize earth stations. Both would authorize the licensee to operate an unlimited number of earth stations across Canada in accordance with technical and operational requirements.

Q1

ISED is seeking comments on its proposals to:

  1. use spectrum licences to authorize fixed and transportable earth stations and ESIMs within Canadian territory, with multiple earth stations authorized under a single licence
  2. issue the proposed spectrum licences for a Tier 1 service area, and have those licences authorize the radio service and frequency bands
  3. apply the general conditions of licence that are listed in annex A to earth station spectrum licences

6.2 Earth station spectrum licences requiring site approval

35. For some earth stations, site-specific analysis will be required prior to an earth station being deployed. Examples include:

  • earth stations that operate in bands where coordination is required in order to avoid harmful interference with other services sharing the band or where international coordination is required
  • transportable earth stations
  • large earth stations that may have a significant frequency impact on the immediate area
  • stations in frequency bands where deployments are otherwise limited through spectrum policies, such as gateway earth stations

36. Additionally, for those earth stations that conduct telemetry, telecommand and control (TT&C) functions for space stations and/or provide feeder links for FSS, BSS and MSS satellites, station-specific information will be required, reflecting the importance of interference-free operation of those functions.

37. ISED notes that all earth stations conducting TT&C, even those that use bands allocated to the amateur-satellite service or that control a satellite operating in the amateur-satellite service, must have a licence with site approval prior to operation.

38. ISED proposes to issue spectrum licences for these types of stations, but to require that each individual station and site under the spectrum licence be approved. For spectrum licences requiring site approval, the licensee would be required to submit technical information for each station for assessment and to receive approval by ISED prior to the deployment and operation of that earth station. An applicant could apply for a single or multiple stations at the time of initial application and would be required to apply for any additional stations to be deployed under the spectrum licence. Each site would require ISED’s approval. While yet to be defined, the administrative process could be similar to the existing site-specific process in place for radio licensing through the Spectrum Management System, and the spectrum licence would include reference to station-specific location information. Multiple stations and locations would be included on a single spectrum licence, with the fee being assigned to the licence, not to each individual location or station.

39. ISED proposes to require the same technical information as is currently collected for an application for a radio licence for a fixed earth station, as listed in annex B. This will facililate the conduct of electromagnetic compatibility analyses and international coordination prior to site approval.

40. For site-approved spectrum licences issued in bands shared with flexible use, or where SRSPs are in place that define band plans, ISED proposes that earth station licensees be required to hold a licence for entire spectrum blocks, at a minimum, as per the relevant SRSP.

41. Site approvals would be required in any frequency band for all stations described in paragraphs 35 to 38.

Q2

ISED is seeking comments on its proposals to:

  1. implement spectrum licences that require site approvals for all earth stations described above operating in any frequency band
  2. collect and assess the technical information listed in annex B as part of the site approval process
  3. require earth station licensees with site-approved spectrum licences to hold licences for entire spectrum blocks, as per relevant SRSPs
Q3

ISED is seeking comments on any additional technical information that should be required for site-approved earth stations. In providing comments, respondents are requested to include supporting arguments and a rationale.

Q4

ISED is seeking comments on what other types of earth stations, in addition to those identified, could be subject to spectrum licences that require site approvals.

6.3 Spectrum licences for generic earth stations

42. Most earth stations are deployed in bands for which specific coordination is not required between earth stations or with terrestrial services, or in bands where there have been no issues with harmful interference between services. In these bands, earth stations may be ubiquitously deployed and their technical characteristics are typically identical, for example, customer-premise antennas for home Internet or ESIMs providing broadband connectivity on board aircraft.

43. In 2015, ISED introduced an interim policy for authorizing systems of identical earth stations in portions of the Ku and Ka bands, specifically in the following bands:

  • 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space);
  • 18.3-18.8 GHz (space-to-Earth);
  • 18.8-19.3 GHz (space-to-Earth);
  • 19.7-20.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 29.5-30 GHz (Earth-to-space);
  • 28.35-28.6 GHz (Earth-to-space);
  • 28.6-29.1 GHz (Earth-to-space); and
  • 29.25-29.5 GHz (Earth-to-space).

44. To date, there have been no reported instances of harmful interference between earth stations authorized under this interim policy and terrestrial services. ISED has also been issuing ESIM licences on a case-by-case, no-interference, no-protection basis in some of these bands.

45. ISED has been approached by a number of satellite operators with requests to expand the number of frequency bands where these interim licensing approaches could be applied in order to support existing or planned broadband services provided to ubiquitously deployed earth stations. Some operators also included plans to serve mobility markets such as in-flight connectivity services and connectivity to cruise ships.

46. Given the experience with the 2015 interim process, ISED is of the view that this process could be made permanent and expanded to other bands. As such, ISED is proposing to introduce a new licensing process for generic spectrum licences for earth stations that have identical parameters and do not require coordination with terrestrial systems. ISED is also proposing to adopt this process for authorizing systems of identical ESIMs.

47. It should be noted that certain technical information, as set out in annex B, would continue to be required as part of the application process for generic earth station licences, including information needed to confirm compliance with SRSP-101, Technical Requirements for Fixed Earth Stations Operating Above 1 GHz in Space Radiocommunication Services and Earth Stations on board Vessels (ESVs) Operating in the Fixed-Satellite Service.  Additional technical requirements for ESIMs may also be developed in the future.

Q5
ISED is seeking comments on its proposal to adopt generic spectrum licences in order to authorize systems of identical fixed earth stations and ESIMs.

6.3.1 Frequency bands where generic spectrum licences will be available

48. ISED has reviewed the spectrum policies and use of bands currently allocated to FSS in Canada to determine where generic spectrum licensing would be appropriate for fixed earth stations. In addition, ISED has reviewed existing spectrum policies, as well as the ITU Radio Regulations, with a view to adopt policies for ESIM licensing that would enable the issuance of generic spectrum licences for different types of ESIMs (aeronautical, land and/or maritime) in certain frequency bands.

49. ISED is proposing that generic spectrum licences would be available for various types of earth stations in specific frequency bands, as discussed below.

50. 3700-4200 MHz (space-to-Earth): This band is allocated to fixed service (FS), FSS, and mobile (except aeronautical mobile) services on a primary basis. As per ISED’s SLPB-002-21, Decision on the Technical and Policy Framework for the 3650-4200 MHz Band and Changes to the Frequency Allocation of the 3500-3650 MHz, published in May 2021, FSS earth stations will no longer be licensed in the 3700-4000 MHz band, except in satellite-dependent areas and at specific identified gateway locations in other areas of Canada. For the 4000-4200 MHz band, ISED proposes to allow generic licensing for aeronautical and maritime ESIMs only (see 5925-6425 MHz below). ISED seeks comments on the application of generic spectrum licensing for systems of identical receive-only earth stations that are part of an enterprise network, as per the above-noted decision, given that location information would be required to establish protection.

51. 5925-6425 MHz (Earth-to-space): This band is allocated to FS and FSS on a primary basis. ISED notes that it recently released a decision to repurpose the 3650-4000 MHz band for flexible use, which is a portion of the band traditionally paired with this spectrum. In addition, ISED released its SMSE-006-21, Decision on the Technical and Policy Framework for Licence-Exempt Use in the 6 GHz Band, allowing licence-exempt radio local area network (RLAN) use in the 5925-6425 MHz band. Widespread deployment of RLANs is anticipated across Canada in the coming years. As such, ISED proposes to limit the issuance of generic spectrum licences in this band to aeronautical and maritime ESIMs only (see 3700-4200 MHz above).

52. 10.7-10.95 GHz and 11.2-11.45 GHz (space-to-Earth): These bands are allocated to FS and FSS on a co-primary, equal basis and are part of the ITU Radio Regulations, appendix 30B (see paragraph 61 below). Both bands are heavily used by fixed point-to-point systems, with international limits in place to protect FS from transmitting space stations. ISED proposes to allow generic licensing in these bands for fixed earth stations on a no-interference, no-protection basis in relation to other licensed services in the band. ISED also proposes to permit generic licensing for aeronautical and maritime ESIMs.

53. 10.95-11.2 GHz and 11.45-11.7 GHz (space-to-Earth): These bands are allocated to FS and FSS on a co-primary basis, with FSS subject to power flux density (pfd) limits to protect FS. The 11.075-11.2 GHz and 11.575-11.7 GHz portions of the band are currently used for direct-to-home (DTH) television services, permitted until January 1, 2028, through Canadian footnote C16H. The associated customer-premise earth stations operate on a licence-exempt basis. There is a moratorium in place on new FS stations within these same portions of the band until 2026 (see DGTP-013-09 in the Canada Gazette). Given that the ubiquitous deployment of DTH is already permitted and pfd limits are in place to protect terrestrial services, ISED proposes to allow generic spectrum licensing in these bands for fixed earth stations and all three types of ESIMs. Given that current Canadian footnote C16H specifies time limits on the services to be offered in these bands, including not allowing the licensing of new FS systems until January 1, 2026, these bands may be subject to a future consultation, specifically on their allocation and use.

54. 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space): These bands are included in the interim policy for authorizing systems of identical earth stations and there have not been any cases of harmful interference. ISED therefore proposes to issue generic spectrum licences for both fixed earth stations and all types of ESIMs (aeronautical, land and maritime) in these frequency bands.

55. 12.2-12.7 GHz (space-to-Earth): Although this band is allocated to FS, broadcasting service and BSS, ISED notes that NGSO FSS (space-to-Earth) is already permitted in this band in Region 2 through footnote 5.487A. Given limited deployment and lack of licensing policy for FS in this band, ISED proposes to allow generic spectrum licensing for both fixed earth stations and ESIMs (aeronautical, land and maritime) communicating with NGSO systems. ISED notes that this band is heavily used for DTH television broadcasting, which is not expected to change in the near-to-medium term. Given that BSS has been in decline in recent years, and uses and demand change over time, this band could be subject to future consultation.

56. 13.75-14.0 GHz (Earth-to-space): This band is allocated to FSS and radiolocation service on a primary basis, with the EESS and standard frequency and time signal-satellite service on a secondary basis. Given limited radiolocation use, ISED is proposing to allow generic spectrum licensing in these bands for fixed earth stations and all three types of ESIMs.

57. 17.7-18.3 GHz (space-to-Earth and Earth-to-space): This band is allocated to FS and FSS on a co-primary basis; however, given that FS has priority over FSS within the 17.9-18.3 GHz band, ubiquitously deployed FSS earth stations would contradict this priority and impede FS deployment. ISED will therefore not permit generic spectrum licensing for fixed earth stations in this band. The 17.7-18.3 GHz (space-to-Earth) band was also the subject of significant discussion at World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19), and is included in ITU-R Resolution 169 (WRC-19), Use of the frequency bands 17.7-19.7 GHz and 27.5-29.5 GHz by earth stations in motion communicating with geostationary space stations in the fixed-satellite service. Given the existing international framework for ESIMs in this band, ISED proposes to allow generic licensing of aeronautical and maritime ESIMs in the space-to-Earth direction, communicating with GSO satellites only. ISED seeks comments on whether to also allow generic licensing of aeronautical and maritime ESIMs in the space-to-Earth direction communicating with NGSO satellites.

58. 18.3-18.8 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 18.8-19.3 GHz (space-to-Earth): These bands are included in the interim policy for authorizing systems of identical earth stations and there have not been any cases of harmful interference. ISED therefore proposes to issue generic spectrum licences for both fixed earth stations and all ESIMs (aeronautical, land and maritime) in these frequency bands.

59. 19.7-20.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 29.5-30 GHz (Earth-to-space); 28.35-28.6 GHz (Earth-to-space); 28.6-29.1 GHz (Earth-to-space); and 29.25-29.5 GHz (Earth-to-space): These bands are included in the interim policy for authorizing systems of identical earth stations and there have not been any cases of harmful interference. ISED therefore proposes to issue generic spectrum licences for both fixed earth stations and ESIMs in these frequency bands.

60. 27.5-28.35 GHz band (Earth-to-space): ISED proposes to limit the issuance of generic spectrum licences to only aeronautical and maritime ESIMs communicating with GSO satellites in this band, consistent with the existing international framework and ISED’s SLPB-003-19, Decision on Releasing Millimetre Wave Spectrum to Support 5G, where it was decided that due to the ubiquitous nature of proposed fixed earth stations and land ESIMs, and the potential lack of geographical or altitudinal separation between land ESIM and flexible use stations, there is a high potential of harmful interference to flexible use systems. ISED seeks comments on whether to also allow generic licensing of aeronautical and maritime ESIMs communicating with NGSO satellites in the band.

61. ISED also assessed allowing generic spectrum licences for earth stations in other bands, including 12.7-12.75 GHz (Earth-to-space) and 12.75-13.25 GHz (Earth-to-space). However, ISED found that these bands would not be appropriate at this time, due to existing international regulations specifically related to planned bands set aside for equitable access to GSO FSS orbital spectrum resources. ISED notes that these bands are under discussion as part of agenda item 1.15 leading up to the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23). ISED will closely monitor developments, including reviewing any resulting ITU technical and regulatory frameworks, and may consider a future consultation on a technical and licensing policy for ESIMs in these bands, as appropriate.

62. Generic spectrum licensing may also be appropriate for certain networks of receive-only earth stations, or sensor networks and environmental monitoring stations. ISED seeks comments on what other satellite services and frequency bands should be considered for generic spectrum licensing.

63. Transportable earth stations will not be eligible for generic spectrum licences.

Q6
ISED is seeking comments on its proposals to allow generic spectrum licensing systems of identical fixed earth stations and ESIMs in the frequency bands discussed above.
Q7
ISED is also seeking comments on any other bands that should be considered for generic spectrum licensing for fixed earth stations and ESIMs, including for systems of identical receive-only earth stations in the 4000-4200 MHz band. In providing comments, respondents are requested to include supporting arguments and a rationale.

6.3.2 Additional conditions of licence for generic spectrum licences for ESIMs and for earth stations installed by consumers

64. Given that the international framework regarding the status of ESIMs is still evolving, it is proposed that all generic spectrum licences for ESIMs be issued on a no-interference, no-protection basis. Furthermore, ISED proposes that for any authorization of ESIMs operating in Canada, a contact must be provided that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in case of interference. Text for these proposed conditions of licence is included in annex A.

65. For ESIMs and earth stations that are distributed directly to consumers for self-installation, ISED will also require, as part of the application process, that technical information be submitted to confirm compliance with SRSP-101, Technical Requirements for Fixed Earth Stations Operating Above 1 GHz in Space Radiocommunication Services and Earth Stations on board Vessels (ESVs) Operating in the Fixed-Satellite Service. ISED notes that additional technical requirements for ESIMs may be developed in the future, including possible requirements similar to those in the ITU Radio Regulations, e.g. Resolution 169 (WRC-19), as appropriate.

66. Existing licensing rules for earth stations were developed with the assumption that earth stations would always be professionally installed and operated. With the emergence of earth stations that can be acquired and installed directly by consumers and other end-users, ISED is seeking views on whether a Radio Standards Specification (RSS) should be developed, similar to those in place for other direct-to-consumer devices, including MSS devices in some bands. Under the requirements of this RSS, these earth stations would be subject to certification in order to enter the Canadian market.

Q8

ISED is seeking comments on its proposals to:

  1. issue generic spectrum licences for ESIMs on a no-interference, no-protection basis
  2. require ESIM licensees to provide a contact that would be available to respond to interference issues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as per the licence conditions in annex A
  3. require applicants to submit technical information needed to confirm compliance with SRSP-101 when they apply for generic spectrum licences for ESIMs and for fixed earth stations intended for self-installation by consumers
Q9
ISED is seeking comments on whether an RSS should be developed for earth stations intended for self-installation by consumers.

6.4 MSS earth stations

67. Mobile earth stations, which are earth stations that operate while in motion, are operated by service providers of “traditional” MSS systems in MSS bands (e.g. VHF/UHF, L-band, S-band). These stations are already licensed through spectrum licences under CPC-2-6-06, Guidelines for the Submission of Applications to Provide Mobile Satellite Services in Canada, with no site information required. No changes are proposed to the licensing procedures for earth stations operated by service providers. ISED will review RP-007, Policy Framework for the Provision of Mobile Satellite Service Via Regional and Global Satellite Systems in the Canadian Market to ensure that it reflects the evolution of MSS, including IoT applications. MSS earth stations operated by Canadian-licensed satellite operators will be addressed in section 7.3.

6.5 Introduction of spectrum licensing for space stations for all satellite services

68. Spectrum licensing is to be introduced for space stations for all satellite services, as detailed in the paragraphs below.

6.5.1 Non-communications satellites

69. Non-communications satellites (not FSS, BSS or MSS) are currently authorized through radio licences. Under this regime, an approval-in-principle is issued when a licence application is accepted and a radio licence is issued just prior to launch. As with most radio licences, fees are calculated based on the amount of traffic the satellite is capable of transmitting/receiving, as per Part VI, Schedule III (see section 73 of the Radiocommunication Regulations). In order to calculate the fee, detailed technical information must be generated by the licensee and assessed by ISED.

70. ISED is of the view that the same arguments in favour of spectrum licensing for communications satellites also apply to satellites operating in other services, such as the EESS, the SRS, and the meteorological satellite service. ISED therefore proposes to introduce spectrum licences to authorize all other satellite services. Licences would be issued immediately upon a favourable licensing decision. The fee would apply once the satellites are in operation and would be payable on an annual basis.

71. The licence would authorize the radio service, the frequency band, the orbital location, supported by an ITU filing, and a coverage area. No other changes to the existing licensing procedures are proposed. ISED proposes to establish the term of these spectrum licences on a case-by-case basis, depending on the characteristics of the particular satellite system. General conditions of licence would remain as they are described in CPC-2-6-02 and on ISED’s website, published as N2 Space station licences.

Q10

ISED is seeking comments on its proposals to:

  1. introduce spectrum licensing for space stations in all satellite services, with licences authorizing the radio service, the frequency band(s), the orbital location and a coverage area
  2. set the licence term on a case-by-case basis for satellites that are not FSS, BSS or MSS
  3. apply the existing conditions of licence for space stations, published as N2 – Space station licences, to the new spectrum licences

6.5.2 FSS feeder link spectrum used by space stations in the MSS

72. Feeder link satellite spectrum in FSS bands used to support MSS satellites are currently authorized under radio licences. At the time of the 2013 Consultation on the Licensing Framework for Fixed-Satellite Service (FSS) and Broadcasting-Satellite Service (BSS) in Canada, MSS operators expressed the view that the consultation was not sufficiently clear on how the proposed fee would be applied to feeder link spectrum. They were also concerned that the introduction of the new spectrum licence fee would result in significant fee increases, as opposed to the fee reduction that FSS operators received when the fee was introduced. For those reasons, the new spectrum licensing and fee regime was not applied to FSS feeder link spectrum for MSS. ISED’s intention was to revisit the issue when it reviewed the MSS fee regime.

73. ISED now proposes to implement spectrum licensing to authorize FSS spectrum used by space stations for MSS feeder links and/or TT&C. Licences would be issued immediately after acceptance of a licence application, with fees only becoming payable once the satellites are launched and in operation.

74. ISED’s policy for FSS and BSS spectrum licences (RP-008) requires satellite licence-holders to hold full sub-bands of FSS spectrum, as defined in that document. Canadian MSS satellite operators currently hold radio licences for their feeder link spectrum that align with RP-008 sub-bands, and are assigned fees based on the amount of traffic carried. Under the proposed spectrum licensing regime, ISED is seeking views on whether to require MSS satellite operators to also comply with the rules regarding minimum holdings, as defined in RP-008, for FSS feeder link spectrum.

Q11
ISED is seeking comments on its proposal to introduce spectrum licensing to authorize FSS feeder link and/or TT&C spectrum used by space stations to support MSS, with licences issued immediately after a favourable licensing decision and fees applicable once satellites are in operation.
Q12
ISED is seeking comments on whether to require MSS satellite operators to comply with the rules regarding minimum holdings for FSS feeder link spectrum, as defined in RP-008. In providing comments, respondents are requested to include supporting arguments and a rationale.

6.5.3 Changes to spectrum licences for MSS space stations

75. For MSS satellites operating in bands allocated to MSS, approvals in principle are issued immediately if a licence application receives a favourable decision. Spectrum licences are issued and fees are payable only once satellites are launched and operational, with fees assigned on a consumption-based ($/MHz) model. ISED is proposing to issue spectrum licences, not approvals in principle, for MSS satellites, with fees remaining payable only when satellites are in operation, in order to align the licensing rules for all satellites.

76. Existing spectrum licences for MSS satellites have different licence terms. ISED is proposing to issue spectrum licences for MSS satellites with a 20-year term, aligning MSS policies with those for FSS and BSS satellites.

77. Currently, MSS spectrum licences issued to MSS space station operators also include authority to operate earth stations in the service bands under that single licence. This regime, as outlined in RP-007, was established at a time when most MSS satellite capacity was provided on foreign-licensed systems. With convergence, and the fee proposals described in section 8, ISED is of the view that the MSS licensing regime should be aligned with the licensing regime for other satellite services, whereby earth station and space station licences are issued separately, with a fee assigned for each.

78. ISED is proposing to limit the MSS space station licence to the use of frequencies by satellites only, and to issue separate spectrum licences for earth stations, as proposed above. User terminals would be authorized under a generic spectrum licence, with a second spectrum licence requiring site approvals for feeder link and/or TT&C earth stations, as described in paragraphs 35-38.

Q13

ISED is seeking comments on its proposals to:

  1. issue spectrum licences instead of approvals in principle for MSS satellites, with fees remaining payable only once satellites are launched and operational
  2. issue spectrum licences for MSS satellites with a 20-year term
  3. issue separate spectrum licences for MSS satellites and MSS earth stations, with each licence assigned a fee

6.6 Types of licences required

79. The granting of satellite-related licences has always been on a non-exclusive basis, subject to successful coordination and compliance with technical rules. For most satellite services, separate earth station and space station licences have been issued, even when held by the same licensee. ISED is of the view that this remains an appropriate model and that the introduction of spectrum licences for earth stations does not require a change in approach.

80. As a result, ISED proposes that the three different types of spectrum licences for a satellite network (generic earth stations, site-approved earth stations, and space stations) be issued separately and assigned a separate fee. Licences would be requested and granted on the basis of the applicant’s particular system. For example, a satellite operator, would hold a spectrum licence for the spectrum used by the satellite and a site-approved spectrum licence for associated TT&C, gateway and/or feeder link stations. If the satellite operator also requires a generic spectrum licence for user terminals, that would be issued separately.

81. Similarly, a telecommunications service provider may require a site-approved spectrum licence for its own gateway earth stations, as well as a generic spectrum licence for user terminals. The fee proposals outlined in section 7 reflect this approach.

82. ISED also proposes to allow communication with multiple GSO satellites on a single earth station spectrum licence, but require separate licences for earth stations communicating with NGSO systems, given the unique technical and orbital characteristics of each system.

Q14

ISED is seeking comments on its proposals to:

  1. issue the three types of satellite-related spectrum licences separately and assign a separate fee for each
  2. allow communication with multiple GSO satellites on a single earth station licence
  3. require separate earth station licences for NGSO systems